The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-31

/ Wutou uuBS PtWttT luhbtduu iitci
ally glisteuod, it had been so perse
veringly Furnished.
| The closed door on his left opened
and the Sister, n tall thin woman il
a dark green serge gown and varis
tion OF the prevailing white cap on
her white hair, ca ne out, saying tC
the unseen occupant Of the little
eigbt-sided room within, III don'i
think there IL anyone coming to see
you dear. IL is near clock when
the visitors go--uDless," she said
facing John, this is your brother
Have you come to see Nancy Battsen,
young mani" she added.
Eyes. ma'am," said John, and the
Sister stood on one side and pushed
open the door. and said. Here's
this brother of ours at last She
turned to John, and added at is
just AZ well you didn't come earlier.
She mustn't talk much nor move.
You talk TO her, and stepped swiftly
across he slate paved passage toward
the ward; but paused as John. who
stood ia the doorway, looking at the
little dark head on the pillow, in an
agony OF awkardness, after a mo-
ment said:
"She - Nancy isn't my sister
ma'sm, She's naught to me. Al
least she's-my sweetheart. had
70 come, as her fathers had to go on
with the boat"
Very well" said the sister smil.
ing aud disappearing.
"Sweethearts" were rare visitors
as this was a children's hospital.
Nancy was really two and hal
years over the axe limit.
John oreaked carefully over the
floor and sat down on the chair be
side Nanoys bed and said:
well, Nancy" in voice so husky
ono might have thought he was mar
OF feeling aud not "only bargeer"
We'll, John" said the black eyed
little creature. whose dark curly hail
lay still on the pillow though 5 put
a rough little boys hand into johns
great Est. John noticed she had hel
yellow beads round her throat still
though she vas wearing a washed ou
blue flannel Jacket belonging TO tn,
ward. which struck him strangely.
Don't move your arms, Nanoy
dear" he said. speaking in almost
whisper. aud not daring 10 clasp IN,
hand iaii IN his. Are you better
Nancy smiled up at him, still no
moving, but pressing his hand little
and said:
You be frightened Of me, John
But I'm a lot better-Im no
dropped now. you sillyw
John smiled little for the frs
time since he had looked at her, anc
said:
"Yes. / DO frightened at you'll Yo,
look so delicate. and such a littl,
thing: and | don't seem to know
you; lying abed like that"
II don't lie abcd much on Oh,
boat. do "" SAID Nancy, the fiusl
which his coming had caused fadin,
and leaving the little brown fac,
suddenly.
"How's father, John2"
Hes gone on with the boat. |
had 10 60, you know, 10 far as Boil
ton. He's coming on Wednesday I,
see yer-back by train-if you ain
out q this by then. Nancy
May. l shan't be out" said Nan
oy. her eyes filing. The lady-th,
sister. i mean--says I'll have 20 Ii,
still good bic because Of my ribs
Did you know. John, when you pull
cd me out o water that the boat .haV
gone agca mo and squeezed mo ageI
tho bridge before | went uuder2"
jobs nodded. aud putting his loij
hand over hers lying in his right
said huskily:
hid it hurt you very bad, Name,
dcnr and then, breaking down
altogether, poor Johu knelt by th,
bed and laid his head on tho iron a,
the top VI the bed aud sobbod like 4
chill.
"Dont'ec John, now don't co." sale
Nancy, the rod blood coming like Z
wave into her face SUDDENLY.
1T was not 80 very bad; | wa,
dszed aud didL't feel like at all
Don't cry. John, be a lot better
and IL don't hurt now. can't bear
10 have you cry" aud the poor
ohifa voice got rough and great
tears rolled over her cheeks, aud sh,
moved her hand TO pull Johns head
down olofc 10 her aud whispered, at
wus you who saved me, John, you
know. Oh, don't cry 80, John; I'm
tettcf."
For moment or two the poor fol,
low sobbed hclplessly over his little
crushed plsyiellow; aud then when
she said, you mustn't, John; the
lady can see through that little win
dow aud shell make yor CO." he
L sscd the haDd he was holding aud
sat back Ia the chair aud looked
pitifully at her, feeling great help.
less brute.
John, said Nancy sbyly, after a
moment, what made you say | was
-FOUR sweetheart when | ain'ti"
"You are, Nancy; | didn't know Il
myself until come 10 tell the lady
you was nsught 10 me, aud then |
kpowcd you we're everything, aud all
I've got 10 care for. When you
como out Of this you'll be my sweet.
heart won't you Nsucy2"
Nancy smiled with the tears hard
ly dry aud said, 1T did sound strange
10 hear you say out like that, She s
my swecthcartl But | think | be, T"
she said alter a moment, lock ing
ioguishly up at jobs, who lcant over
her aud kissed hor.
Come homo soon, Nancy" no
said. AND III take better care OF
you. You shan't Jump Of tho barge
agon, nor get drowndod no more"
The door opened 10 admit a doctor
and the Sister. John stood up aud
touched hi. forehead 10 the doctor,
who nodded aud said:
Your sisters over the age, my
man she ought TO have been taken
10 the lndrmary, but as VIC have
taken her Ia VIZ must get her we'll.
How old arc you2" he added TO the
girl.